radio interview

I was interviewed on a morning radio talk show today. It was the third time and I am always so very pleased to be invited. The show is from a Catholic network entitled Relevant Radio and is primarily throughout the Midwest and down into Oklahoma and  Texas.
The interviewer asks about both my books and we focus on addiction and recovery. As usual today following the interview I thought of many comments or points I could have made that might have been more meaningful than what I said. How come that always happens? I can be so clever by myself!
Anyway one of the issues we talked about was how difficult it is for the family of the alcoholic/addict. How can the family deal with relapse-since relapse is a frequent issue in this disease of addiction. The point I wish I had more more strongly is that relapse IS part of the disease..just like relapse is part of the disease of diabetes or any chronic disease. And what our focus needs to be is on minimizing the consequences of the relapse. How can we support the addict to move back into recovery? How can we support them to move out of the relapse more quickly?
One of the ways is to help them remember how good it felt to be in recovery...how much less the fear was...how much closer they felt to family...how they didn't have to hide their behavior...how they could be honest.
Relapse is not the end of the world. It is important  that the relapses get further and further apart and that the length and amount used get smaller and smaller. That is a measure of recovery. And most importantly the addict and the family remember that God is with them---even in the relapse. Christ was with Peter when Peter was beginning to sink---both when trying to walk to Christ on the water and when the boat felt overwhelmed by the storm. Christ is with us when it feels like we are sinking. He calls us to "Come." When caught in the storm of addiction we must keep our focus on Christ. Christ is the priority.

Today-in any of your challenges is Christ your priority? Do you hear His call to "Come?"

As an aside---my husband and I enjoy doing workshops on issues of addiction, recovery and our relationship with Christ as the foundation of recovery. If your congregation would interested in such a workshop/discussion, please contact me on Facebook--Penny Hauser.

Blessings-Penny